Randall Scott 'Papa Redneck' Chandler

Randall Scott "Papa Redneck" Chandler, 49, died Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, at his home in Durango. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango and a celebration of his life will take place on or around his birthday in 2013.

Randall Chandler was born May 27, 1963, in Pasco, Wash. the son of Robert and June Chandler. As an infant, his family moved from Pasco to the Denver area and then they moved to the Montrose/Olathe, Colo. area and he attended schools there, graduating in 1981. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was stationed at various locations, including Okinawa, Japan, Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas and Camp Pendleton in San Diego, Calif. After his military service, he did various jobs before becoming an apprentice electrician. Randall became a journeyman's apprentice in the Grand Junction/Clifton, Colo. area and belonged to the I.B.E.W. Local #969 Union.

He enjoyed fishing, the outdoors and was an avid Denver Broncos fan. He claimed to be a J.R.R. Tolkien "geek" as well as knowing many facts about C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" book series. He enjoyed the company of his family and took pride in taking care of them. He dabbled in various hobbies, and thoroughly enjoyed his red lawn tractor as well as playing video games.

He is survived by wife, Pamela Chandler of Durango; sons, Kevin Chandler and Justin Chandler of Montrose, and Timothy Skidmore of Durango; daughters, Evelyn Skidmore of The Dalles, Ore., Jennifer Skidmore of Grand Junction; stepdaughter, Brandi Duran Mann of Cortez; parents, June and Robert "Bob" Chandler of Montrose; grandmother, Evelyn Ross of Montrose; and seven grandchildren with one more on the way.